Folio Cover with Snap Coupling for Secure Mobile Device Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile device covers are often either insecure or bulky, interfering with the usability of the device and failing to provide adequate protection and versatility in viewing angles.

Innovation Solution

A folio-type cover with rigid sections hinged together by flexible material, featuring a male/female snap coupling system for secure attachment and alignment, allowing the cover to be folded and propped at various angles without additional fasteners or magnets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cover is made secure and protective, then device protection is improved, but the cover becomes bulky and interferes with usability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice protectionVSAvoidusability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is divided into multiple panels (front panel, back panel, and additional panels) that can be folded and positioned independently. This segmentation allows the cover to provide protection when closed while enabling various viewing angles and compact configurations when opened, resolving the contradiction between protection and usability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover incorporates hinges that enable dynamic reconfiguration between closed (protective) and open (usable) states, as well as intermediate viewing angles. This dynamic capability allows the cover to transition between protection mode and usability mode, eliminating the need to choose between the two extremes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a cover is made compact, then usability is improved, but the cover becomes loose fitting and insecure

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveusabilityVSAvoidsecure fitting
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The snap coupling system merges the front panel and back panel together at specific engagement points, creating secure attachment without requiring the entire cover to be bulky. This localized merging provides secure fitting while maintaining overall compactness and usability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2632123B1Mechanically attached folding cover
Publication Date: 2018.05.16 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2632123B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2632123B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2632123B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mobile electronic device has a first part of a male/female coupling. A cover sized to cover at least one face of the mobile electronic device has a second part of the male/female coupling. The second part of the male/female coupling mates with the first part of the male/female coupling of the mobile electronic device and cooperates with the first part to attach the cover to the mobile electronic device.